A San Jose mother and stepfather have been charged with felony child neglect in the death of 8-year-old Aurora Williams, who prosecutors say was in serious medical distress from an asthma attack for about eight hours before the couple sought help at their home on Lancelot Lane in East San Jose. Gabrielle Hanson, 32, and Jacob Randolph, 39, were arraigned Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said.
What prosecutors say happened
San Jose police found Aurora unresponsive at the home on May 13. She died four days later, on May 17. Last month the county's chief medical examiner, Dr. Michelle Jorden, ruled her death a homicide, caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain from severe asthma with acute lung injury during a rhinovirus or enterovirus infection, and said medical neglect was a significant factor.
Investigators described the house as infested with cockroaches and other insects, with visible mold, garbage and animal feces. According to the DA's office, a respiratory mask used for Aurora's asthma contained cockroaches, and an inhaler spacer was dirty and missing a seal. At an emergency room visit in February, staff saw a cockroach crawling on the girl, who told them, "Oh yeah, bugs just crawl on me," prosecutors said. She was also described as underweight and hungry.
Six other children who lived in the home, ranging from 2 months to 17 years old, were placed in protective custody after Aurora's death. The couple also face misdemeanor child endangerment charges tied to those children.
Uncle charged with abuse
Hanson's brother, Jonathan Hanson, 44, who lived in the same house, was charged with two counts of child molestation and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material involving one of Aurora's siblings, who was between 11 and 15 at the time, the DA said. Prosecutors allege Gabrielle Hanson knew about the abuse and did nothing to stop it, and she is charged in that case too. Jonathan Hanson is being held without bail.
Judge Kelley Paul released Gabrielle Hanson and Randolph on supervised own recognizance over prosecutors' objections, with orders not to contact their children or care for any other children. None has entered a plea; all three are due back in court on Nov. 20.
Questions for county child welfare
Police said the county's Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) received 12 reports about the household dating back to 2022 from school staff and medical providers. County records obtained by KQED show social workers concluded in at least four instances since September 2023 that the allegations were unfounded or inconclusive.
The agency has been under state oversight since 2023 after the deaths of 3-month-old Phoenix Castro and 6-year-old Jordan Walker, and faced a new state review after 2-year-old Jaxon Juarez died in April. A state report last month found only 10% of the county's emergency placements complied with state law.
"These children's deaths have been met with reports and remorse and promises of reforms. And yet, here we are again," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said Tuesday. He said his office is developing a plan for a team of senior specialists from several agencies to jointly handle the safety of the county's most vulnerable children.